Supervisory signal system.



C. F. PATTERSON.

SUPERVISORY SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLmATIoN FILED mmv, 1901.

Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

s SHEETS-sgml T 1. "Ik

A INVENTOR MvT/ima..

WITNESSES ATTORNEY G. F. PATTERSON.

SUPERVISORY SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION HLED JAN. 17, 1907.

Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l l l l l l I l l l l m INVENTOR WITNESSES Vl B ATTORNEY G. E'. PATTERSON. SUPERVISORY SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17, 1'907.

931,704. ,Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

3 "34 7S/WM.

' 4 4 ATTORNEY UMTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES r. rA'rTERsON, OF-NEW YORK, n. Y.

SUPERVISORY SIGNAL SYSTEM.

`ampliano-i.

Specification of Letters Patent.

` Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

Original application 'tiled June 14, 1906, Serial No. 321,725. Divided and this application led January 17, 1907.

Serial No.

To all whom-fit may concern:

Be 1t known that I, CHARLES I4. Pa'rrnnsox, a citizen of the United States, residing 'at' New York, in the county of New York and 'State of `New York, have invented a certain new and useful Supervisory.Swnal System; and I do hereby declare the fol ow- 'ing to be a full, clear, and exact description -o'f the same,` -such as will enable `others.

skilled in the art to which it appertains to make 'and use-thesame.

y invention relates to an electric supervisory signaling and'indicating .system designed to indicate and register the move- 'meuts to and from their respective home stations, of cach and all of a plurality of objects removable from suoli home stations, such as vehicles, horses, ctc., and the Vapproximate time of arrival and departure.

The present application is a division of"I my application .tiled June 14th, 1906, Sr.

mitting device when its corresponding removable object leaves its home station and again when-such object returns to its home station; and my system' further comprises suitable indicating and recording devices, which may be, and customarily will be, lo-

catcd ata central 'station distinct from the home station of such removable objectsand suitable circuits connecting the transmitting devicesl with suc-li central station indicating and recording apparatus. A large number ot transmitting devices may be connected by ,the saure circuits -to the' same central station recording and indicating apparatus.

My invention is particularly suitable vfor use in connection with stables, automobile garages, and the like, where a large number of vehicles, horses, etc., belonging to di'erent owners, are ke t, and enables the owner ot` any such vehic e, horse, or otherremovable Object to have automatically recorded the movements of the same from such home station, quite independent of the stable or garage records and by apparatusnot under the control ofthe stable or garage employees.

The objects rof my invention are to supervise the movemei'its to and from their respective yhome''.`stat'ions, of vehicles, horses and other removable objects; to indicate automatically when each such vehicleor' removable object departs from its particular home station, and when it. is returned thereto; to make the apparatus simple., durable, re-- liable, and-easily operated; to permit the use of a single indicating and recording set, and common circuits, for a large number of transmitting devices of the system; to prevent false manipulation or operation'of the l transmitting apparatus of the system; and

to---provide forlthe automatic periodic testing of 4the Vcircuits and apparatus of 'the system.

I will now roceed to -describe my invention with re erence4 to `the accompanying drawings, illustrating one arrangement of 'the circuits and apparatus-for carrying out my invention; and will'then point out the- -novel features in claims.

-In the saidl drawings:-FigureI 1 Shows diagrammati'cally the transmitting instrument 'circuits and central station`4 apparatus of a system embodyingfmy invention;- the parts of 'the lcircuits and apparatus related to the time-controlled portion ofthe system, 'which are not specifically claimed herein, being shown in'dotted lines. Fig. 2 shows a side tview, with lthe cover of the inclosing 'ease-removed, of one of the transmitting instruments of my system; the time-circuit transmitting mechanism being shown in dotted lines.- Fig. 3 shows a transverse section downward, of such transmitting instrument, the section being taken just below the 'operating magnets of the apparatus the timecircuit transmitting mechanism being shown in dotted lines. Figs. 4 9 inclusive, are detail views of the automatic separable circuit control device of my system, lcomprising two relatively individualized co-acting members,

vby .theseparation or uniting of which the operation of the transmitting apparatus is caused; Fig. l showing a longitudinal sec-l tion of the plug aiidsocket fully connected; Fig. 5 showing asimilar view with the plug in its rst position; Fig; 6 showing a transverse sectiont corresponding to Fig. 4; Fig.- 7 showing a. .longitudinal section of the socket; Fig. San end view thereof, and Fig. 9 a transverse section corresponding to Fig. 5.

i Referring to the said drawings and at first toFig. 1 thereof,'1'designates a central station at which the recording and4 indicating devicesrare located, 2, '3 and 4 designate transmitting apparatus, 5 and G deslgnate main line circuit conductors connecting the alarm service, and the like, comprising atoothed transmitting wheel and corresponding Contact brush or pen, said wheel toothed to transmit telegraphically a number or other code-character, characteristic of vthat particular transmitting instrument. Said transmitting mechanism is arranged to transmit over circuit 5 (which circuit may be termed the alarm circuit to distinguish it from circuit 6 hereinafter more particularly referred to) the number or code designation of that box at the time of departure of the vehicle or other object supervised from its home station, and again at the time of return of such device to such home station; and customarily I so arrange the transmit-ting device thatA the latter alarm is accompanied by a further distinctive signal to indicate that it is a return signal and not a departure signal. In this way the central station attendant is apprised whenever any particular vehicle or like object supervised,

departs from its home station, and when itv returns thereto. Preferably also each transmit-ting instrument comprises. a further transmitting mechanism which may with advantage be of the same general type as the other but which is controlled by means for causing it to operate periodically-for example a time clock, and which, when so operated periodically, transmits through circuit 6 shown in dotted lines and which may be termed the time circuit to distinguish it from circuit 5, 'a suitable number or code designation-preferably the same as that transmitted by the corresponding alarm circuit transmitting mechanism; and I so arrange the alarm circuit transmitting mechanism, that during the absence of the vehicle or other article corresponding to such transmitting mechanism from its home station, the time or periodic signals will be cut out. Proper record being made of the signals of the two circuits 5 and 6 said records `will perfectly check each other; likewise the periodic operation of the apparatus of the time circuit shows clearly thatthe apparatus and circuits of the system are in operative position.

Taking up now the detail description of the apparatus, and rst of all. the construction of the transmitting apparatus of box 2 for example (the mechanism of the other boxes may be the same), 10 designates the transmitting wheel for the alarm circuit, 11

the-pen or contact brush therefor, 12 a controlling magnet for said wheel and 13 the armature lever for such magnet, controlling an escapcment mechanism more fully shown in Figs. 2 and 3. parture and arrival signals from this transmitting device, I have shown this wheel provided with two series of notches, each comprising the number of the box, but the second including as well, a dash notch .14. The cscapement mechanism is arranged to cause half a revolution of wheel .10 upon .thev departure of the vehicle supervised, and to cause afurther half rotation` of the wheel upon the return of such vehicle, the pen 1l To differentiate .the de-ff encountering the ydash notch 14A only near the conclusion of .thesecond half revolution.

For present purposes ythe separable lcontrolling devices 7, Sand 9 etc., of the several boxes may bel assumed to be devices which, when the vehicle supervised is at its home station, closes a local controlling circuit 153-16, passing through the magnet l2; current being supplied to this circuit by any convenient means, as for example, a battery 17 and current lead 18, which may be common to all the transmitting devices or any convenient number thereof. When this con- 'trolling circuit 15-16 is broken upon the `departure of the vehicle supervised by box 2 and the consequent operation of the controlling device 7 magnet 12 is denergized, the escapement mechanism of wheel 10 is operated and said wheel permitted to revolve one half revolution. Upon the closing of said circuit 15-1G, at device 7 magnet- 12 is energized, the escapement mechanism of the wheel 10 is again operated and said wheel is permitted to revolve back to its starting point, in so doing sending the number of the box together with adash. The line circuit 5 passes from brush 1l through wheel 10 and' conductor 19 tothe brush 11 of the next box, and so on, the alarm signal transmitting device of the several boxes being therefore connected in series in a normally closed circuit.

The time circuit-signaling device of the several boxes, comprise each a toothed contact wheel 20 with pen or contact kbrush 21, and are each controlled by a magnet 22 and an armature lever 23 operating release-meeh-A` anism. A time clock 24 controls the magnets 22 of a series of boxes and periodically energizes the magnets 22 of such series in sucy. cession. I do not limit myself to any particular type of time clock contact device, but

may use any such. device'suitableA for thev purpose. In'the drawings I have indicated said time clock as provided on its dial with a circular series of contact points over which the minute hand of the clock, acting as a brush or Wiper sweeps successively. Cir- -cuits radiate from the various contact points on the dial to the several magnets 22. As

Athe Vminute hand rotates therefore, the several magnets 22 are energized successively, each for an instant only, but for long' enough to release the corresponding contact WheelA and =permit rotation of the same to begin;

said Wheel continuinfr to rotate until its revolution is completed, when it is arrested -automatically by the detent arm 23. If the object-supervised by any one of these trans- .mitting boxes 1s at its home station when 6 and recorded at the central statlon. But

'if theaobject supervised by such box is not 'at its home station when the cont-act Wheel 20 of that box rotates as described, the rotation of said Wheel Will be ineffective owing to the fact that, magnets 12 being denergized, arm 13 has' closed a shunt circuit contact 24 by Which the Wheel 20 and pen 21 of that box are shunted with respect to the line circuit, so that no interruption of line circuit 6 is caused by their Operation. So long as the object supervised is aWay from its home station therefore, the periodic sign-alsvvill not be received from the corresponding transmitting device. At the central station each of circuits 5 and `6 has its own register 25 and bell or other audible signaling device 26.

In Figs. 2 and 3 I have shown the mechanism of one of the transmitting boxes, the

same-numerals being employed as in Fig. l, v

For rotating the toothed contact lWheels I have shown normally-Wound spring motors 27, driving the contact Wheels through customary-gear-trains 28, the speed of rotation being controlled by fans 29. The armature levers 13 and 23 may control the rotation of the contact wheels by means of any suitable detent or escapement device. In the construction shown, these detent or escapement devices are very simple,r consisting merely of pins`30 on the Contact Wheels, arranged to be engaged by the ends of the armature levers 13 and 23 respectively. Since Wheel 10 is to rotate only half a revolution each time it operates, 'once when magnet 12 is deenergized, and again When magnet 12 is reenergized, said Wheel is provided -With two pins 30, placed at diiferent radial distances, sothat When'said magnet is denergized and its armature lever, flying out, releases one pin 30, it is in position to engagefthe-other A pin 30 when the'half revolution ofthe contact Wheelis complete; and similarly, when the magnet 12 is again energized and its lever13releases that pin 30, -it-moves into position to engage the other'pin 30. -It is intended that the minute hand -of the .time

. clock 24 (Fig. 1) -or other contact device with which said clock ymay be provided,\will be in contact'with-each contact point of the series for less time than it takes the contact wheels 20 of the corresponding transmitter boxes to rotate, so that each armature lever 23, after releasing the pin 30 `of its contact wheel 20, will be back again to engage and arrest the pin 30 upon the completion of the rotationof such contact wheel.

Ido not confine myself to any particular contact device for theA local controlling circuits 15--16 of the transmitter boxes, but may employ that shown in Figs. 1c-9 inclusive, Which forms the subject-matter of a separate application for Letters Patent, fi* ed June 29, 1906. Sr. No. 324,008 (Patent o. 852,395,^dated April 30, 1907). It is desirable that the contact device employed shall comprise tWo .separable coacting members, one adapted for connection tothe Vehicle or other movable object to be supervised, the other for connection to the conductors of circuit 15-16, the two members relatively individualized so that each may be used only vvith the other. This isexceedingly important, in order that the transmitter for each vehicle may be operated only when that particular vehicle is taken out or returned, and in order that it may be im'- possible to falsely indicate at the central station the return of a vehicle, by the application. of a dummy member to the circuitterminal member of the corresponding contact device. The contact device shown in Figs. 4.-9 fulfils these requirements, being provided With tumbler l'mechanism much like that-of socalled" Yale locks, serving to individualize the members of one contact device from those of any desired number of similar contact devices.

In Figs. t9 inclusive, 31 designates the plug member ofthe device, forming the terminal members for conductors 15 and 16 of Fig. 1, and 32.' designates the socket for receiving said plug. Said plug comprises an outer shell 33, preferably of strong metal, an intermediate member 34, fitting Within said shell, and an inner member 35, rotatable somevifhat`with respect lto members 33 and 34, and carrying within it a series of-plugshaped tumblers, 36, of varying length, adapted to coact with similar tumblers 37, mounted in'cells in member 34, and springactuated, as shown. Members 33 and 34 inclose between-them a chamber 38, containing terminal clips 39 and 10 *for conductors 15 and-16 respectively, -andsaid members 33 and34are separable for convenience in Wiring-the plug, said members being rigidly connected-once the Wires have been connected',by suitable means, as for example by screwstl l:having their heads sealed over.

minals 39 and 40;?but thisfgate has in it an The soc et member 32 comprises such a key,- 46, secured to the 'recessed base 47 of ,the

socket member, and protected by the tubular Ashell 48 into which the plug 31 fits. -The operation of this contact device is as follows: Supposing plug v31 and socket 32 to ybe separated, to connect them the plug is introduced into the socket, the key 46 fitting within the slot 44. The socket is pressed in straight as far as it will go-z'l e., until the key is fully home. If the "socket and plug correspond, the tumblers of the plug will now all be lined up as'shown in Fig. 5, with their adjacent faces just at the parting between the tumbler barrel 35 and member 34. The plug may now be rotated a few degrees, the tumbler barrel 35 being held stationary by key 46, which has the effect of moving the oriiice 43 in gate 12 into line with chamber 38. After which the' plug may be pressed in still farther; tumbler-barrel 35 retreating back intomember 34; and this final movement of 'the plug 31 brings contact fingers 49 and 50 into contact With terminal clips 39 and 40. These fingers 49 and 50 being in electrical connection, as shown in Fig. 8, wires `15 and 16 are now in connection, and circuit 15-16 is closed.

To disengage the plug 31 from the socket 32, the operations above described are reversed, whereupon the tumbler-barrel 35 is pressed out by its spring 45, the gate 42 closes contact chamber 38, the tumblers 37 come opposite the -corresponding tumblers 36; and, as the plug is withdrawn completely, said tumblers 37 being pressed outward, enter to a'greater or less extent the barrel 35preventing rotation thereof. It will be seen that when the plug is removed from its socket, the circuit terminals are entirely sealed against access; nor can the cont-act chamber be opened except by means of a key corresponding to the key of the particular socket to vvlnch the plug corresponds.

As is well known, the permutations possible by varying the length of the tumblers of a locking mechanism such as shown are almost withoutI limit; likewise such mechanisms may be installed in groups and subgroups, adjusted to have a master-key for the entire group and individual masterkeys for the different sub-groups, t e same as is now done with locks. This greatly facilitates the Work yof inspectors, each of whom may have a master-key for the particular group or subgroup in his charge. The keys 46 are so inclosed by the shells48 of the socket-me1nbers, that it is difficult to obtain access to said keys to take impressions therefrom,-and an attempt to take such an impression is almost sure to be detected.

In the case of vehicles, it is contemplated that the socket members 32 shall be permanently secured to some convenient-portion of the vehicle, it being necessary, therefore, to detach the plug 31 from its socket 32, before the vehicle can be taken away` from its home station. 53, in Fig. 1, deslgnates a vehicle having a socket so attached. The plug may be connected to itstransmittin box by iiexible conductors 15 and 16 of suc length as to permit the vehicle to be moved somewhat, as for cleaning and inspection, Without disconnecting the plug from its socket.

In the 'case of horses or other animals, the

socket 32 may be secured permanently toa halter -or collar or harness locked on the animal. The shells 48 of the sockets 32 are provided with bayonet-grooves 51 adapted to receive projections'52 on the plugs31, whereby the correct rotation of the plug in its socket is insured.

It will be obvious that the transmitting contact wheel 10 and parts associated therewith, and the circuit 5, are quite independent of the transmitting device includingl the contact Wheel 2O and of the circuit 6, and

that there is a complete system without these parts. However, for various reasons it is desirable to combine the time circuit and its apparatus with the alarm circuit and its apparatus.

What I claim is '1. The combination with a supervisory signal system comprising receiving means, circuits, and a plurality of transmitters, of a plurality of objects to be supervised, removable -with respect to said transmitters, and provided with means whereby said transmittersare operated upon the removal and upon the return of such objects, the said means of the several objects relatively individualized with respect to one another, whereby no one of said means may operate in place of another.

2. The combination with a vsupervisory signal system comprising receiving means, circuits, and a plurality of transmitters, and operating means for said transmitters comprising removable means adaptedto be secured to objects to be supervised, of objects to be supervised to which said removable means are secured, said objects removable with respect' to the 4corresponding transmitters, the said removable means relatively individualized with respect to one another, whereby no one of them may be used in place of another.

3. The combination with a supervisory signal system comprising receiving means, circuits, and 'a plurality of transmitters, operating means for said transmitters comprising a1 local circuit for each, and a contact device therefor comprising separable co-acting portions, one adapted for connection to an object to be supervised, the like members of the several contact devices relatively individualized with respect to one another, whereby no one ot them may be used in place of another, of a plurality of objects to be supervised, one for each such transmitter, and each having connected to it the said removable member of the contact device of the corresponding transmitter.

f1. In a supervisory signaling system, the

combination of a line circuit, a plurality of transmitting means, and a plurality of controlling devices, one for each such transmitting means, comprising separable members, one adapted for attachment to an object to be supervised, the other connected to said transmitting means, like members of said controlling devices relatively individualized with respect to one another, Whereby no one of them may be used in place of another.

5. In a supervisory signaling system, the combination of a line circuit, a plurality of transmitting means, and a plurality of controlling devices, one for each such transmitting means, comprising a separable members, one adapted t'or attachment to an object to be supervised, the other connected to said transmitting means, like members of said controlling devices comprising individualizing means, whereby `no one of them may be used in place of another.

(3. In a supervisory signaling system, the combination of a line circuit, a plurality of transmitting means electrically controlled, and a separate circuit-controlling device for each comprising separable members, one adapted forattachment to an object to be supervised, the other electrically connected to controlling means' of said transmitting means, like members of the several circuit controlling devices comprising individua-lizing means, whereby no one of them may be used in place of another.

7 In a supervisory signaling system, the combination of a line circuit, a plurality of transmitting means electrically controlled, and a separate circuit-controlling device for each comprising separable members, one adapted for attachment to an object to be supervised, the other electrically connected to controlling means of the corresponding transmitting means, like members of said circuit-controlling devices relatively individ` ualizcd, whereby no one ot them may be used in place of another.

8. In a supervisory signaling system, the combination of a line circuit, a plurality of transmitting means, and a separate controlling device for each comprising two separable members, namely, a plug and a socket therefor, the one adapted for attachment to an object to be supem-'iseth the other connected to controlling means of said transmitting means', like members of the several controlling devices relatively individualized, whereby no one ot' them may be used in place ot' another.

9. In a supervisory signaling system, the combination of a line circuit, a plurality of transmitting means, and a separate controlling device for each comprising tWo separable members,vnamely, a plug and a Socket therefor, the one adapted for attachment to an object to be supervised, the other connected to controlling means of said transmitting means, each said plug and socket relatively individualized, whereby each may coact only with the other.

10. In a supervisory signaling system, the combination of a line circuit, a plurality of transmitting means comprising electricallyoperated controlling means, and a separate circuit controller for each such transmitting means comprising two separable members, namely, a plug and a socket therefor', one adapted for connection to an object to be supervised, the ,other electrically connected to the controlling means of the corresponding transmitter, each said plug and socket` comprising means whereby the corresponding transmitting means is operated upon the separation and again upon the uniting of said plug and socket, and comprising also individualizing means whereby the coac-` tion of the plug with any other socket is prevented.

11. In a supervisory signaling system, the combination of a line circuit, a plurality of transmitting means comprising electricallyoperated controlling means, and a separate circuit controller for each transmitting means comprising two separable members,

namely, a plug and a socket therefor, one

adapted for connection to an object to be supervised, the other electrically connected to the controlling means of the corresponding transmitter, each said plug and socket comprising means whereby the corresponding transmitting means is operated upon the separation and again upon the uniting of said plug and socket, and further comprising key-and-lock means whereby said plug may operate only with its corresponding socket, and vice versa.

12. In a supervisory signaling system, the combination of transmitting means anda controlling device therefor comprising two separable members, provided the one with a key and the other with corresponding lock mechanism, said controlling device adapted to cause the operation oit said transmitting means upon the separation or upon the uniting of its said members.

13. In a supervisory signaling system, the combination of a line circuit, a plurality of transmitting means therein, and a corresponding plurality ofA controlling devices therefor, one for each vsuch -transmittingmeans, such circuit controlling devices comprisin each separable members relatively indivi ualized, whereby each such member will co-act only with its corresponding member and not with any of the other similar members of the system.

14. In a supervisory signaling system, the combination of aline circuit, a plurality of transmitting means therein, separate controlling circuits for suchseveral transmitting means and separate controlling devices in such controlling circuitszgeach such controlling device comprising separable members relatively indivldualized, whereby each such member will coact only with its corresponding member'and not with any of the ther similar members of the system.

15. In a supervisory signaling system, the

'combination of `a line circuit, a plurality -transmitting means therein, yseparate controlling circuits for such several transmitting means andV separate controlling devices in such controlling circuits, each such coni trolling device 'comprising a plug and socket relatively individualized, whereby each plu may co-act with its corresponding socket and not with any other socket of the system and whereby each socket may'c'o-act with its corresponding plug and not with any other plug of the system.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses. v

CHARLES 4F. PATTERSON. 

